Water

Where do you use water?

Studies such as the Auckland Water Use Study (BRANZ 2008) which monitored fifty one households in the Auckland suburbs fount that the average household uses 179 litres of water per day in summer, 174 litres of water per day in winter.  This followed a study in 2006 of twelve homes in the Kapiti area, the results however were remarkably similar.

The highest use of water both in summer and winter was the shower, followed by the washing machine, then toilet.  Not surprisingly the greatest disparity between summer and winter is the use of water outside. The table below shows a full breakdown from the 2008 study.

Table 1: Results of Auckland Water Use Study 2008
Summer Winter
Average 179 litres per day Average 174 litres per day
Shower 24% 30%
Washing Machine 23% 24%
Toilet 18% 19%
Outdoor 17% 6%
Tap 11% 16%
Bathtub 2% 1%
Dishwasher 1% 1%
Leaks 4% 2%
Misc 0% 1%

Where can you conserve water?

Shower/Bathroom
  • Use a timer when taking a shower (especially useful for kids)
  • If possible replace your shower head with a low flow head, or reduce your flow rate.  (See below on how to test the flow rate of your taps/shower)
  • Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
Toilet Toilets use on average 6.7 litres per flush

  • Consider replacing older toilets with a more efficient dual flush.  The cheapest dual flush toilet has a four star rating, and uses 4.5 litres on a full flush, 3 litres on a half flush.
  • If you are renting, or do not want to replace your old cistern you can adjust the amount of water in your cistern by either adjusting your ballcock or if you are not comfortable with that placing a jar or clean milk bottle full of water (with a lid) in the cistern – this will displace a fair amount of water.  Make sure the jar/bottle does not impede the flushing mechanism!
Laundry Top loader washing machines use on average 122 litres per load, whereas front loaders use 60 litres per load (They also use less soap powder and less electricity!)  So next time you are considering a new washing machine – consider a front loader.  (I note my F&P top loader (5.5kg) uses 78 litres per wash whereas a friends front loader (6.5kg) uses 72.6 litres per wash)

You could also consider using your laundry water in a grey water system.
Outdoors
  • Sprinklers are the least efficient way of watering your garden, using up to 800 litres of water an hour!  A single sprinkler can use more water in one hour than a family of fours does in one day!  Consider switching to a hand held hose.
  • Water first thing in the morning or last thing at night when it is cool to avoid loss through evaporation
  • 100mm of mulch around your plants will reduce water evaporation by up to 70%
  • Consider plantings that are suitable for your climate and environment.  Local garden centres and nurseries can help with this
  • Some plants require more water than others.  Group your plants according to their watering needs.
  • Weed regularly, don’t make you plants compete for water
  • Consider a rainwater tank or grey watering

See also Grey Water and Irrigation for more ideas.
Leaks
  • Fix Leaks/Dripping taps
  • Check your supply pipe, toilet and hot water cylinder occasionally for leaks
 Kitchen
  •  Keep a jug of cold water in the fridge for drinking instead of running the tap to get cold water
  • Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl placed in the sink – use the left over water on your garden or indoor plants
  • Steaming your vegetables is healthier for you, keeps the flavour better and uses less water than boiling
  • Waste disposals use a great deal of water and electricity, consider composting instead.

 

The WELS System (Water Rating Stars)

labelThe WELS or Water Efficiency Labelling System applies to washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, showers, taps, and urinals.

The system uses a rating system, in stars, the higher the number of stars the more efficient the device.

Water consumption is also shown in terms of:

  • litres per wash (dishwashers/washing machines)
  • litres per minute (showers/taps)
  • litres per flush (toilets/urinals).

 

How to Measure Your Water Flow Rate

Place a bucket under your shower or tap.

Turn the water on for TEN seconds.

Measure the amount of water in the bucket and multiply that number by SIX.

  • 6 – 9 litres is fantastic     😎 😎  😎
  • 10 – 14 litres is about average    😐  😐   😐
  • 15+ litres is way to much    🙁  🙁  🙁

 

Further reading

Watercare

 

 

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